day-23

In all my years at the front desk, never have I made a mistake like lashing out at a client. Slapping them? Throwing a pen? Not even raising my voice is something I do lightly. I've mastered the art of swallowing my pride and keeping my cool, especially on bad days. And let me tell you, being a woman can mean days where frustration simmers just below the surface, ready to boil over for no reason at all.

But today, I witnessed something else entirely. This coworker, no VIP by any stretch, had one simple task: greet the client and figure out why they were here. Instead, she raised her voice, berating the client and drawing everyone's attention (including, of course, her own). "Keep your family drama at home," the client hissed back, rightfully incensed.

We, as customer service reps, can't control how others feel. Our job is to do our best, be professional, and avoid conflict. This woman, however, seems utterly untrained in that art. She lacks any semblance of empathy, not just for customers but even for her colleagues. Does seniority grant her the right to be so insensitive?

She disappeared shortly after the incident, hiding in the back until the afternoon. Then, as if nothing happened, she returned, asking if the client was still there. Honestly, I couldn't care less. Just do your job and stop making excuses. Your personal baggage is your own damn problem.

Later, while cleaning, she launched into a dramatic retelling of the whole fiasco, how she "almost lost it" on the client. "They couldn't hear me," she whined, "so when I raised my voice, they thought I was mad!"

Please. Spare me the self-serving sob story. It's a pathetic attempt to deflect blame and avoid the fallout of your own unprofessional behavior. Face it, you simply lack the basic skills to deal with people. Own up to it and stop digging yourself deeper.